French digital terrestrial television channel numbers to reshuffle on June 6

The channel numbers for French digital terrestrial television are to be reshuffled on June 6 with notable changes for Canal+, France 4, and several news channels.

The changes follow a decision earlier this year by France’s media regulator Arcom made to improve clarity and reflect recent media developments, including the arrival of two new channels – CMI TV and OFTV – and Canal+’s decision to stop broadcasting via TNT.

Canalsat numbers are not affected by the changes.

The reshuffle is designed to make navigation more intuitive while keeping disruption to a minimum. 

This includes the creation of a new “news cluster” grouping the four main rolling news channels together and moving France 4 – previously at number 14 – to channel 4.

Another change sees political broadcast channel La Chaîne parlementaire move from 13 to channel 8 – right after Arte (7), reflecting their similar focus on cultural and civic content. Channel 8 had been vacant since the now defunct C8 stopped broadcasting in February.

Meanwhile, Gulli, which targets younger audiences, moves up to channel 12, now placed directly after entertainment channel TFX (11).

Arcom said this would improve visibility among its intended viewers.

The two new arrivals – CMI TV and OFTV – will take slots 18 and 19 respectively, following a draw to allocate the numbers. Their launch follows their official authorisation in December 2024.

The new numbering applies only to viewers receiving TV via TNT (Télévision Numérique Terrestre), which remains widely used across France, especially in rural areas.

Arcom said it aimed to make the new line-up easier to understand “in the interest of the public”, while ensuring a diverse and plural media offering remains accessible to all.

Read more: VPNs ordered to block illegal sports streaming sites in France